Lingerie chain set to sue over jobcentre ban

Lingerie and sex toy chain Ann Summers is suing the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) over its refusal to allow the company to advertise job vacancies
in Jobcentres.

The firm, which employs 8,300 people in more than 72 stores across the UK,
has issued a High Court challenge to the Jobcentre ban, which it has been
trying to persuade the Government to lift since April 2002.

The dispute has arisen because the DWP categorises Ann Summers as part of
the sex industry.

Ann Summers’ HR executive Gary Burgham, said the firm is fighting the ruling
because of its plans to expand and recruit up to 1,000 extra staff and the high
costs of having to place vacancies with recruitment agencies.

He said: "The Government’s ban on Ann Summers raises important issues
of freedom of choice for the individual. The ban even extends to our
advertising for secretaries at our head office and for drivers and groundsmen.

"Attempts by Ann Summers to resolve this issue have failed, with the
Government remaining resolute in its refusal to lift its ban," he added.